Donnington ward candidates

Five candidates, two seats available.

Some candidates who belong to the same party chose to submit a combined manifesto.

Liz Clare (incumbent) and Jim Lavery, Labour

Liz Clare and Jim Lavery are standing for election to both borough and parish council for the Donnington area. As locals, they know Donnington well. With the support of the Donnington community they have secured vital investment for roads, parking and measures to tackle speeding across the ward.

They were instrumental in helping save the Hub and library from closure. Liz has used her ward funding to support local organisation including the Scouts and Boxing Club. She has also funded the planting of poppies and wildflowers in the local area.

Donnington’s War memorial has been repaired and over £60,000 of investment has been made into local roads and footpaths for 2019 as a result of Liz and Jim campaigning on behalf of Donnington. They have also consistently called for tougher action against fly-tippers and helped secure £16,000 for the upgrade of local street lights.

Liz and Jim have been passionate about defending services at Princess Royal Hospital.

As local Labour councillors they have fought hard to secure Donnington’s share of a £1m regeneration fund and they are committed to making sure the project will be resident led to ensure Donnington is regenerated for the benefit of local families and the community. They will also fight hard against Tory proposals to cut future funding earmarked for Donnington.

Martyn Edwards and Philip Loughlin, Conservative

Martyn and Phil are Donnington and Muxton Parish Councillors, Martyn chairman and Phil deputy chairman, and have been serving the communities for several years.

We will continue to fight to retain services at the PRH. Closing the new Women’s and Children’s Centre and the A&E at the PRH makes no sense and we hope that a review of the decision will stop the proposed Future Fit process. Hopefully common sense will prevail.

While Donnington caters for a wide range of sports, often the playing fields are empty. To make better use of the sporting facilities we will campaign for changing facilities at Broakoak playing fields near The Little Theatre. This improved provision will attract a wider range of field sports to our community, allowing current teams to compete in local competitions.

The increasing lorries and HGVs on our roads lead to congestion and pollution. We will make sure such vehicles are restricted to the designated main routes and away from our smaller local roads. We welcome the recent drainage upgrade, but are concerned the roads and footways will not be restored to their original standards. We will therefore ensure they are fit for purpose after the work is completed.

On May 2 you have a choice to either continue with the tired and unimaginative Labour council or to support Martyn and Phil, fresh faces with new ideas.

Bryan Muirden, UKIP

I have lived in the Telford and Wrekin area for 10 years, having lived in Donnington and Newport. I have been married to Sue, who is a nurse, for almost 30 years and we have two sons.

I hold an honours degree in applied theology from Manchester University as well as a management HNC. I have worked in a variety of fields including hospital management, private sector management and administration, civil service administration, care work and delivery driving.

I am new to politics but have become increasingly outraged by the actions of the British establishment. I have also been inspired by the awakening of common sense, and the desire for traditional values, that has begun to change the political landscape throughout Europe.

I am convinced that UKIP is the only credible political party for our times; a party that is speaking out boldly, under the leadership of Gerald Batten, about the issues that most concern the great disenfranchised multitude in this once-great nation.

I feel deeply that the well-known statement, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,” is a clarion call for our exceptional political times.

On May 2, vote UKIP.